Analysis of genotyping data reveals the unique genetic diversity represented by the breeds of sheep native to the United Kingdom

Background: Sheep breeds native to the United Kingdom are noted for high breed variability and exhibit a striking diversity of different traits in phenotypes and genetic diversity. Some of these traits are highly sustainable, such as seasonal wool shedding in the Wiltshire Horn, are likely to become more important as pressures on sheep production increase in coming decades. Despite their clear importance to the future of sheep farming, the genetic diversity of native UK sheep breeds is poorly characterised. This increases the risk of losing the ability to select for breed-specific traits from native breeds that might be important to the UK sheep sector in the future. Here, we use 50K genotyping to perform preliminary analysis of breed relationships and genetic diversity within native UK sheep breeds, as a first step towards a comprehensive characterisation. This study generates novel data for thirteen native UK breeds, including 6 on the UK Breeds at Risk (BAR) list, and utilises existi..., , , # UK Sheep Genotyping - Genotypes, metadata, and workflow

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.z08kprrnm](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.z08kprrnm)

## Description of the data and file structure

1. Title of the dataset: Analysis of genotyping data reveals the unique genetic diversity represented by the breeds
of sheep native to the United Kingdom
2. Corresponding Author Information. 
Corresponding author (manuscript and study information): 
Name: Emily Clark 
Institution: Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG
Email: [[e-mail]](mailto:emily.clark@roslin.a)

Corresponding author (data and code) 
Name: Melissa M. Marr
Institution: Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG
Email: [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])
3. Data files in Plink format
*i.* 20210809_0211124_comb_nodups.map & 20210809_0211124_comb_nodups.ped 
...